question about progest cream

Hello, I am new to this site. I appreciate any information you can give me.

I had surgery 11/13/06 for removal of my right ovary and a cyst. My left ovary is still there. My last period was 11/1 and the week of my surgery I had heavy bleeding for about 4 days. Thirty-one days later I started to spot dark brown blood, only when I wiped after urination. After 2 weeks I called the doctor and he instructed me to use ProGest cream to try to stop the spotting. Finally, after 13 days, it stopped. I spotted for nearly a month.

I have been instructed to use the cream continuously. I asked the nurse (doctor is out of town) if I would have a period while using the cream. She would not answer my question, only to tell me that if anything abnormal happens, like the spotting, to call them.

I'm 47 and realize that I surgery may have set me into menopause, but I am confused about this, I guess, because of my remaining ovary. Before surgery I was very regular, like clockwork, with my periods. I'm frustrated at the lack of information from my GYN. Can you tell me if using ProGest cream continuously is the right thing to do, considering I may not be in menopause? My emotions/moods/poor sleeping are all over the place right now. Why isn't my remaining ovary picking up the slack?

I've been trying to do some research about all this but I find it very confusing.  I know all women are different in their hormonal needs and a saliva/blood test may be in order for me. I didn't think I'd have to deal with this b/c I didn't have a hystorectomy.

Thank you

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. Your surgery was only a short time ago and an ovary was removed. It might take a person